Tupí
Rosary PrayersThis language is
now extinct, but was once spoken throughout Brazil.
The first written recordings of this language were made by Jesuits in
1575 and onward. Most colonists coming to Brazil would learn
Tupí so they could communicate with the Indians and other early
colonists who spoke it. In 1759, the Jesuits were expelled from Brazil by the Prime
Minister of Portugal and the language began to fall
out of use rapidly as many new colonists, who continued to speak Portuguese, were
immigrating due to the discovery of diamonds, gold and
gems in the Interior of Brazil.
This language was spoken for another
century, yet its influence on the language continues to this day.